Back

On #unschooling: Studying Sokrates and the discipline of logic.

Cecilie Conrad·Jan 11, 2021

On #unschooling: In the photo: My sons are laughing so hard, they can hardly stand, as we were voluntary and together in our home – studying Sokrates and the discipline of logic.

“It (I.e. the home) is not an artificial place, set up to make “learning” happen and in which nothing except “learning” ever happens. It is a natural, organic, central, fundamental human institution, one might easily and rightly say the foundation of all other institutions”
#JohnHolt – from ‘Teach your own’

I have seriously struggled with this question: How to not become artificial while unschooling. We call it #deschooling, the process where we, the parents, unlearn and uninstall the whole system of schooling from our concepts on life.

Yet, there are a few things I love MORE than exploring with my children. It could be a beach, a landscape, a culture, a language, an art form, or a science discipline – with my children. Not because I am trying to teach them, but because this is a natural way of living life together: Being interested in the world around us. Being a home-mother, building a nest for my family is a natural flow for me, and I am happy to do it.

We have chosen a nest with wheels on it; nonetheless, we consider our current location (where ever it is) as our home: If we are together, have a place to sleep and some food somewhere – it is home.

Getting this together and functional in new ways is the job of a nomadic mother, and for a long time, I did not have the arguments to stand up for the importance of it.

The longer I live this life, the more important I find the base. The love, the vibe, the organization (not too much, but enough to have a good flow), the resources. The base is the home.

I have been heavily criticized for choosing the home and taking my kids home. Now, I know I am right.

This is the only natural base for life.

Your parents ARE supposed to be the most important persons in your life until you become a parent yourself.

And your home is your base.

“… we cannot even imagine a society without homes, even if these should be no more than tents, or mud huts, or holes in the ground.”
– John Holt

May the sun shine on you.

Cecilie-Underskrift-300x133

Cecilie Conrad

Unschooling and Parent consulting, conversations, blogposts, and podcasts on family life and learning

Hi, I'm Cecilie Conrad. I'm a trained psychologist, mother of four, radical unschooler and full-time traveller. I have lived with unschooling for over a decade and help other families find their own path – whether it is about homeschooling, unschooling, or the bigger question of how you want to live as a family.

I offer guidance, conversations and talks. I call my work grandmothering – not coaching in the traditional sense, but presence, professional insight and concrete help navigating motherhood and finding your way home to your own values.

Am I the right person to help you? You can book a free discovery call, and we'll talk and figure it out.

Listen to my podcasts

I share my knowledge and curiosity about family life and learning in my two podcasts.

Da Ladies - cover
self-directed-podcast

Read my latest blogposts

Birds. Sugar. Jesus. Balance. The simple joys of life, like sharing a cup of coffee with loved ones. Discover how a mundane moment can hold profound …Read more
Delve into the heart of cultural immersion as we navigate the delicate balance between observing and participating in local traditions. Join us in re…Read more
Explore the profound traditions of Dia De Los Muertos through our personal journey of remembrance and cultural discovery. From sacred altars to vibra…Read more
Join me on my personal journey through Mexico as I navigate writing a book with a lifelong friend, unschooling my children, and embracing the vibrant…Read more
Join our family adventure as we discover the untamed remnants of Mayan culture in Playa del Carmen's exclusive community—no tickets, no crowds, just …Read more
The moon's mystique enhances the tranquility of our daily routine. From the simplicity of a beach walk to the profound beauty of a moonrise, discover…Read more
Dive into a day of introspection and cultural exploration as I navigate through moods, art galleries, and local festivities. From the subtleties of i…Read more
From exploring local cenotes to movie nights featuring Frida Kahlo, our family navigates the challenges and joys of settling into Mexico. Discover ho…Read more
Struggling with jetlag, a virus, and adjusting to a new life in Mexico, my family found solace in a local vegan, organic restaurant. Discover how sim…Read more